National Mycobacterium Reference Service- South (NMRS- S), Colindale, NW9 5EQ
About The Job
Job summary
The National Mycobacterium Reference Service-South (NMRS-South) is a UKHSA National Reference Centre for Tuberculosis and Mycobacteriology. It provides a regional reference centre for London and Southern England and also receives primary samples from several NHS hospitals in the London area. The NMRS-South is part of the UKHSA National Infection Service and is located in Colindale. At an international level the NMRS-South is a WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory within the Global Programme on Drug Resistance in Tuberculosis and works with other designated National Reference Centres. In addition to its reference, diagnostic and clinical activities, the NMRS-South carries out research projects in the UK, Europe and Africa.
You will take a leading role in the maintenance and provision of reference services and research across the NMRS-South. You will be an HCPC registered Clinical Scientist and will act as a lead specialist whose role is to help deliver a reference and medical laboratory service to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care and resource management for the users of this specialist reference laboratory.
This includes working exclusively with Mycobacteria spp., including those in Hazard Group 3, in a containment level III environment. The post-holder will supervise non and state registered scientists and support staff in that section while acting as part of the team by being involved in performing the tests being carried out. You will also be expected to train other professional groups such as junior medical staff.
You will also act as the Deputy Laboratory Manager in the absence of or by delegation by the NMRS-S laboratory manager.
Location
This will be a lab-based role located in Colindale, NW9 5EQ.
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Working Pattern Full Time
Job Description
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- Be responsible with the Laboratory Manger, Leads and other senior staff for maintaining a high standard of work.
- Ensure the provision of an efficient, effective, and timely service ensuring maximum efficiency within allocated resources.
- To provide scientific oversight and ensure provision of the national reference services for the diagnostic and characterisation of Mycobacteria.
- Take a leading role in the validation of new assays within NMRSS for implementation into routine service.
- Review diagnostic tests as well as further development and validation of molecular services for relevant bacterial pathogens across NMRSS.
- Support research within NMRSS.
- Develop and evaluate novel molecular and genomic approaches for the characterisation of Mycobacteria and the application of molecular technologies to determine the pathogenesis and evolution of virulence in bacteria relevant to the Sections within NMRSS.
- Validate and authorise reports as required.
- Collate/present data for discussion.
- Write and publish papers and present results where appropriate, both nationally and internationally.
- In collaboration with the Laboratory Manager, assist in the acquisition of agreed equipment purchases and ensuring maintenance of equipment.
- Contribute towards the development and maintenance of the MOLIS LIMS
- Ensure that all Services comply with UKAS and other accreditation standards in collaboration with the Laboratory Manager and Quality Manager.
- Take part in the identification and implementation of ongoing quality improvements.
- Ensure the continual development and compliance of internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions.
Person specification
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of up to 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:
Essential
- HCPC State registration as a Clinical Scientist (or a demonstrable plan to achieve registration within 6 months) and maintains professional competence.
- BSc in biomedical sciences or equivalent
- A post graduate degree in a relevant science or Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences
- Minimum of 3 years post HPC registration
- Training and supervising a team
- Working as a member of a team
- Full conversant of working in a regulated environment with quality systems and knowledge of UKAS
- Fully conversant with CPA / ISO 15189 Quality standards
- Ability to undertake technical validation of results.
- Comprehensive Microbiology Techniques
- Ability to interpret diagnostic laboratory results.
- Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required
- Demonstrated experience in a Healthcare environment
- Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders
- Understanding of the public sector
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 INTERVIEW
The selection process will consist of a face-to-face interview and a short presentation.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 29/10/23 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Interviews: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality Requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Jon Payne
- Email : ukhsa.recruitment@reed.com
- Email : ukhsa.recruitment@reed.com
